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Compliments of the season to you all. Congratulations for making it into 2018.

Now that we have started a New Year, it’s the apt time to make our New Year’s Resolutions. First of all, what is a New Year’s resolution? It is “a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good, improve on what you have done before or stop doing something bad at the beginning of the year”.

Keeping those New Year’s resolutions is usually an uphill task.

As you make your resolutions for the year, pause a bit and think about the environment. Every creature depends on it for survival. If we do not take good care of it, its capacity to sustain mankind is compromised. Resolving to adopt some environmentally friendly actions, will go a long way in creating a clean, safe and healthy environment for all.

Here are some green resolutions which you can add on to your list:

1. Cut down on your vehicle’s emissions.
-Keep the car in good working order. Do regular maintenance.
-Instead of driving, take a walk on small distances. This is also good for your health.

2. Cut down on disposable products.
-Reduce your paper towel, napkins, plates and cup use by buying good reusable versions that can be easily washed and reused.
-Use a reusable travel drink container for hot and cold drinks on the go.

3. Reduce plastic bag use.
-Reusable fabric bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes and many organisations and businesses give them away free or sell at a nominal fee.
-Once you have the bag, keep it in your car or handbag so that you carry it on your next shopping trip.

4. Use environmentally friendly, non-toxic cleaners
-Many household cleaners contain chemicals that may not have been tested or labelled. Some of the most used cleaners – ammonia, chlorine bleach, and aerosols – can have harmful effects when they come in contact with the skin. In addition to being absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, the fumes they give off are breathed into the lungs.

-These chemicals constitute waste water which then pollute our water bodies.

5. Separate waste at source for reuse, composting and recycling
-Compost all biodegradable products. The compost can be used in vegetable gardens and flower beds.
-Recycle paper, plastic, metals and glass.

6. Used but still too good to throw in the trash?
-Donate good used clothing and shoes to a local charity or thrift store as an alternative to throwing unwanted textile items in the trash.
-Host a yard or car boot sale or sell at a second hand shop or online.

7. Complete the cycle
-Purchase items made from recycled materials.
-Increase recycling in your home and business by making sure that bins are clearly labelled and easily accessible.

8. Get more informed about the environment
-Search for environmental articles in the newspaper,
-Watch/read an environmental documentary, book, brochure or flyer every month
-Listen to environmental radio programmes.

9. Minimise Printing.
-Go electronic, use emails where possible.
-Avoid advertising on paper. It is one of the causes of litter.

Hopefully you will incorporate some or all of these resolutions on your list and implement them. You will make a great impact to the environment and human health.

EMA wishes you a prosperous 2018.
-Environmental Facts, Tips and Updates are published weekly by the Environmental Management Agency. Send your feedback to; [email protected], like us on Facebook: Environmental Management Agency and twitter:@EMAeep or visit our website www.ema.co.zw. Alternatively, call us on: Tel 086 77006244 and Toll-free 08080028; or use our WhatsApp platform 0779565707. We are ready to listen.